Category: Revelation - Jethro TOOLS

Not So Hot

4/3/2022

Revelation 3:14-22
Summer is just around the corner and along with it comes hot weather. If you are outside on a hot day a cool drink of water is refreshing, just like a hot coffee is soothing on a cold winter day. We desire the beverage that is opposite the temperature that we experience in order to be refreshed. However, if the coffee is barely warm or the water is slightly hot we will dump it out and get something that is truly refreshing. That is the response that Jesus had to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Often we may read verse 16 as being hot in our spiritual relationship with Jesus as a good thing and being cold as a bad thing. Notice that Revelation 3:16 says… “because you are lukewarm, and neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Jesus is not condemning either temperature of hot or cold in the illustration, but rather the compromise of being spiritually lukewarm. He challenges the church to redefine what they view as valuable (18), and calls them to turn from their independence (19). The church of Laodicea had pushed Christ out of their life. Now Jesus describes Himself as being outside and knocking to come in and renew fellowship with them (20). Like this church we need to accept Christ’s analysis of our life because He is faithful and true (14), and respond to His invitation to renewed fellowship. Christ desires for us to imitate Him in pure righteousness not compromising lukewarmness. Our passion should be one that invests in what holds spiritual and eternal value not what is temporary and worldly. If we choose to be spiritually lukewarm we choose a spiritual life that is not so hot. May that not be true of us. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get a glass of cold water.

For more see REVELATION

Opportunity for the Faithful

3/27/2022

Revelation 3:7-13
As I walked out of the store I reached in my pocket for my car keys. I froze in fear as I realized the keys were gone. What did I do with them? Then at that moment I looked through the window and saw them dangling from the ignition. Have you ever done that? It may not be car keys, but it may have been house keys that are locked or lost. Fortunately, I had learned a simple trick from my father of carrying a spare key in my wallet. I was able to open the car door and go about the rest of my day. If you hold the keys you have the power and authority to open certain doors and also shut certain doors. In Revelation 3 Jesus presents Himself as the God of all authority to the church of Philadelphia. He alone holds the key and has the ability to open and shut (7). The problem is that in the city of Philadelphia there was a Jewish temple and people who opposed the Christians. They asserted that they had the approval and acceptance of God. What they promoted was false religion that opposes true faith in Christ as savior. This false group asserted their practice over the truth that Christ alone provides salvation. Jesus tells the church of Philadelphia that because of their faithfulness they have an opportunity to be a witness to those that oppose them and teach falsehood (8). God will bring those from the false teaching in the synagogue to the point of repentance from sin and worship of Jesus as the only savior (9). Like the church of Philadelphia we have the opportunity to present the truth of Jesus to those who do not know the truth that Jesus. He is the only savior who provides the only way to gain forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Who have you told about Jesus recently?

For more see REVELATION

Lifelessness of Past Success

3/20/2022

Revelation 3:1-6
Have you ever had a difficult time getting to sleep. Sometimes I can’t sleep and I just lay in bed wide awake. I am not the only one. Approximately 30 percent of all adults suffer from occasional insomnia. A sleepless night can be caused by worry, depression, stress or illness. However there is help. Melatonin is a natural sleep aid that helps overcome the effects of insomnia. We can find this sleep aid in milk which is why a glass of warm milk is often used to help us fall asleep. Falling asleep is one thing, but have you ever had a hard time waking up? You know what I am talking about, when your alarm goes off and you don’t hear it. The church of Sardis in Revelation 3 was that church. Sardis had a reputation of being spiritually vibrant in the past, but in the present they were dead (1). They lacked the measurements of spiritual life and Jesus challenged them to wake up (2). However, it is often hard to wake up and be alert physically and even more so spiritually. That is why Jesus reminds the church that He will come in judgment and take the little they have, just like a thief (3). For us today, our past spiritual reputation must not be our focus. We must be consistently known as being passionate for Jesus alone. In the present, we must be seen as followers of Jesus, not casual observers. Like Sardis, Christ is calling those who are spiritually asleep and dead to a revival for a new future lived through His resurrection power. We must be continually submissive, allowing Christ to lead us by living out His words. Sardis was not awake and spiritually lifeless. The same can be said of us, if we believe that our past spiritual success is a guarantee of our present faith.

For more see REVELATION

Tolerating Corruption in the Church

3/13/2022

Revelation 2:18-29
When it was built the old shed was fine, but over the years it gradually fell into decay because it lacked a solid foundation. Having been built right on the ground the floor supports began to rot. I needed a shed, and this building was on the property. I would save a lot of time if I could salvage the foundation. So I went to work and jacked up the building and placed concrete blocks on the ground and good wood on top of the concrete to support the shed. The end result was a revitalized building that is still in use today all because it has a solid foundation. In many ways, I believe that our life can be illustrated by that shed. We need to understand the solid foundation of God’s word so the corruption of the world will not cause our spiritual life to slowly rot away. This was the problem of the church in Thaytira. They did not practice spiritual discernment and slowly fell into decay. Simply put, they tolerated the moral compromise of a sinful woman as leader in the church (20-23). Jesus encouraged those who were faithful (19) to persuade them to continue being faithful (25). Like Thyatira, we need to be discerning about spiritual authority. We need to discern that what is taught follows the authority of scripture. We need to be discerning in our own lives and follow God’s authority. Finally, we need to discern that God is the sole authority in the church. A title and a position that lack the support of God and His word will not provide an example of God’s transformative power or teaching for spiritual change. A church that lacks discernment and discerning people will be a place ripe for the rottenness of sin and decay. Our foundation must be based on Christ and nothing else.

For more see REVELATION

Tolerating Compromise of Beliefs

3/6/2022

Revelation 2:12-17
The excitement rises! You have tickets to the big game and you are going with friends or family. Your ticket guarantees you access to the big event. Over the years I have had the chance to go to only a few big sporting games. There was even one time when we were rewarded with tickets. My possession of the ticket allowed me into the door so I could enjoy the event. Today not much has changed. We may not use physical tickets, but we may be sent tickets through our phone so we can use them electronically. In Revelation 2 the church of Pergamum was challenged for tolerating the compromise of Biblical teaching. There were some in their church who held to false teaching and even joined in idolatrous practices (14-15). The church as a whole was commanded to repent from their compromise (16). If not, Jesus Christ promised to treat them as enemies by bringing judgment on them with the words of His mouth. Repentance clearly shows a willingness to be faithful to Christ alone. Even today, in a court of law, if the guilty party truly displays repentance the judge will often show leniency in some way. At the time Revelation was written a judge would show acquittal by giving a white stone as a ticket for freedom. Jesus offers Pergamum forgiveness of sin if they repent and turn from the compromise of sin (17). Like Pergamum, it is easy for us to compromise in our faith and turn away. Christ calls us to a life that depends in faith on Him. We compromise when we seek other spiritual beliefs and practices beside faith in Christ. A faith filled life consistently lived without compromise for Christ means that others will continually be reminded of Jesus through their connection with us. Uncompromising faith will be rewarded by God.

For more see REVELATION

Be Faithful

2/27/2022

Revelation 2:8-11
I had noticed the small but also big footprints that are distinct of a rabbit in the snow around my house. I was not surprised knowing that we have a family of rabbits that have made our garden their home. However, I was surprised to see a rabbit come racing out from under the steps as I was cleaning up the most recent snowfall. With typical wide eyed fear the little guy stopped for just a moment to see if I was a friend, foe, or just the obnoxious landlord. Having determined I was the latter he raced off without giving me a second glance. A rabbit naturally wants to stay out of sight or run away from what sees them. The pressure of survival easily raises their fears and places them in a state of stress. Funny; are we not like rabbits in many ways? In Revelation 2 we see John record the words of Jesus to the second church, the church of Smyrna. Jesus knew they had already suffered much which led to their poverty (9), and that their suffering was going to increase (10). For the church in Smyrna there is not much hope. However, Jesus tells them not to be afraid and to be faithful (10). Why? He does not criticize or correct Smyrna, instead Jesus reminds this persecuted and fearful church that He is sovereign and has overcome death (9). Like the church in Smyrna it is easy for us to be so preoccupied with survival that we neglect seeing Jesus as the one who has the solution even if we do die. Our tendency is to be like the rabbit and run to survive on our own. We are reminded not to be afraid, even of death. Jesus offers life to those that remain faithful even to the point of death. That is hope for those in distress.

For more see REVELATION

Lost Love

2/20/2022

Revelation 2:1-7
Have you ever seen puppy love? It is often said that the first stage of human love is puppy love. So, what is puppy love? Think about it. You are asked by a friend if you want one of the puppies that their dog just recently gave birth to. As you look at the wriggling litter of fuzzy cuteness one puppy catches your eye. You pick up the little bundle to get a better look and then lose all control as the puppy wags its tail and licks your face. Your first love may be called puppy love because of the human attraction and bond of that attraction without the wagging of tails. But what about our spiritual first love? In Revelation 2:1-7 the church of Ephesus is commended for the way that they have stood for the truth of God’s word (2-3). They have worked hard and know the truth, but Jesus Christ points out that that they have left their first love (4). Literally they have looked at the face of Jesus, the one that loves them, and they have consciously walked away. They are given the command to remember what they have left, repent and turn around and return to loving the one that loves them (5-6). Losing the excitement of our first love is human but it should not be true of our spiritual lives. This church was doing all the right things because they knew all the right answers, but they had lost their passion for Jesus who loves them. You may have known Christ for years, sat through hundreds of church services and heard all the Bible stories. You just don’t feel in love anymore. We need to have a true devotion for God, not just go through the motions for God. If that is true of you remember Jesus has not turned away, you have.

For more see REVELATION

The Vision of Jesus Christ

2/6/2022

Revelation 1:9-20
With the Winter Olympics just around the corner we wait, hoping our favorite athletes overcome the obstacles and opponents and win. Yet this one moment and victory in time is not just by chance. If it was by chance then every one of us would be in the Olympics looking for our chance. In fact the athletes that we cheer for have been preparing, practicing and persevering in their sporting event for years. They have restricted their diet and refused certain activities all to focus on their development and training. In Revelation 1:9-11 John recounts how he arrived on the island of Patmos. Very simply he was exiled to the island because of his teaching and preaching about Jesus. In the midst of his persecution and banishment he was able to be an encouragement to the people and churches addressed in this letter. John was a spiritual brother and fellow partaker in the tribulations and spiritual blessings that the audience was experiencing (vs. 9). Then in verse 10 John mentions being in the Spirit in fellowship and worship of God. In these verses we see that John does not allow his circumstance to change his relationship with other believers; neither does he allow his circumstance to change his worship. It was through his exile on Patmos that God spoke and told him to write (vs. 11) what became the book of Revelation. It is often easy for us to allow our circumstances to impact our spiritual perspective and even our spiritual life. Note that John’s life was not easy and yet it is out of the trials which he was in that God called him and used him. Perhaps God is preparing you through your present circumstances for something He has not yet revealed. Practice faithfulness to Christ in the present.

For more see REVELATION

Hope - Encouragement to Live by Faith

1/30/2022

Revelation 1:1-8
Do you remember the Merry Go Round from a school playground in your child hood. I remember one where several of us boys would get on while the others remained off. The task was very simple. If you were on the Merry Go Round you tried with all your might to stay on. If you were off the Merry Go Round your job was to spin it as fast as possible to make those that were on the Merry Go Round fall off. I remember being on the Merry Go Round and spinning so fast and so long that I thought it would never stop while my brothers and friends were just laughing at me. Have you ever wanted something to end, but had no power to stop it? The spinning problem just seemed to go on and on without an end in sight. Perhaps you feel like that now. Perhaps you see this year is a repeat of the previous year, or you feel like this month will never end. Your thoughts are sort of like being on the Merry Go Round as you scream, “Stop the world and let me off!” The book of Revelation is a reminder to remain faithful even when the world and our life seems to be spinning out of control. Revelation reminds us that in the end Jesus wins and controls everything. That was an encouragement to the churches and individuals John was writing to who were struggling to hang on amid pressures and persecution of their faith. Today we may read the book of Revelation looking for answers about the future. However, the emphasis throughout this book is to remain faithful to Jesus by obeying what is written (Rev. 1:3) and hang on to our faith. Make Jesus your focus and not the problem that is spinning out of control.

For more see REVELATION

Who is God? Creator, Redeemer, Restorer

6/13/2021

Genesis 1, Genesis 3, Acts 2, Revelation 7
This past week I was saddened when I was made aware of the passing of two people. One was an elderly man and the other was a young woman. Both were described as adventurous and joyful, both had contracted cancer, but both had trusted Jesus as their savior. They lived life differently because of Christ and they lived to bring honor to God their savior as His image bearer. We are created by God and bear His image (Genesis 1:26-27). We resemble our creator in the aspect of being relational people in need of relationship with God and others (Genesis 1:28-29). The results of Adam and Eve’s sin (Genesis 3) have led to broken relationships with God and others, distorted worship of our self and others instead of God, and the destruction of murder by taking the life of others created in God’s image. Peter proclaims that Jesus came and was crucified thus becoming the source of salvation for all people (Acts 2:36). This message rang true and 3000 people respond (Acts 2:37-41). The church was started and redeemed people were now restored to worship their creator and redeemer. All those who are redeemed from sin by faith in Jesus Christ will one day be united together in their praise of their savior (Revelation 7:9-10). In Christ the divisions of geography, race and language are removed as people from every tribe, and nation worship their creator and redeemer as part of the family of God. We start our journey of faith here on earth but it continues forever in heaven through the worship of our creator, redeemer and restorer. The two that I mentioned earlier are doing just that.

For more see QUESTIONS & ANSWERS